Heathfield woman celebrates 100th birthday with tea party

Audrey Chamberlain, who lives in Heffle Court Care Home in Heathfield, was born on December 14, 1923, in Northampton.

To commemorate her special birthday, the centenarian, who loves gardening and computing, enjoyed a tea party with her family and friends.

During the Second World War, Audrey joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (Waaf) as a shorthand typist and worked in Bomber Command.

Audrey was a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force during WWII (Image: Aria Care)

Audrey married after the war and lived in London, Essex, Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells where she worked as a school secretary for many years.

She has two daughters, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

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When Audrey was in her mid eighties, she joined a computing course and became very good at computers.

She did her own online shopping, banking and enjoyed digital imagery well into her nineties. To celebrate her 100th birthday the home organised a tea party with a singer and a birthday cake.

She also received a card from the King and Queen Consort.

Debby Potter, home manager at Heffle Court said: “Audrey has been a resident at Heffle Court for three years and is a much loved part of the family. We all wished her a very happy 100th birthday and she is certainly incredible for her age.”

Audrey's birthday comes after residents rallied round another 100-year-old from Brighton to help her celebrate her special milestone in style.

Elsie Butler, who lives at Dean Wood Bupa Care Home in the city, was approaching the big day and staff at the home wanted to make sure she got plenty of cards to mark the much-loved resident's centenary.

They put out an appeal which was published in The Argus and she received 400 birthday cards.

To celebrate on November 28, Elsie was joined by family, friends and fellow residents for an afternoon tea at Dean Wood’s Sea View café.

Elsie said she was “so touched and grateful for all the cards and birthday love” she received.